This table can be generated with a calculator in only a few minutes and the data open up lots of opportunity for discussion, plausible reasoning, and problem posing.
• For example, four of the lines in the table will show triangles with integer areas. Are there other triangles (non-isosceles) with perimeter of 100 having integer sides and integer area?
• Incidentally, in looking at this table and interpreting it, students might be led to realize that for any selected length for a base, the isosceles triangle would have the most area for all triangles with perimeter of 100 units that could be constructed on that base.
• Once the table is complete, consider having the students plot a graph with the length of a on the x-axis and the area on the y-axis. The resulting curve provides more opportunities for plausible reasoning.